TORONTO -- While it lacked the fireworks of many previous skirmishes fought on the battleground, the Senators were just happy to get their first win of the young season.

Led by 26 saves from goalie Pascal Leclaire, the Senators beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 -- the first win for Leclaire in a Senators uniform.

“The first one is one I've been looking forward to for a long time,” said Leclaire, who hadn’t won a game since Nov. 14, 2008. “You don’t feel part of a team until you have a win when you’re a goalie. It’s been a while and it’s a pretty fun night for me.”

There was plenty of hype around the decision by Toronto coach Ron Wilson to start goalie Jonas “The Monster” Gustavasson, but Daniel Alfredsson, on a penalty shot, and Shean Donovan scored for the Senators.

After losing a free-wheeling 5-2 decision to the New York Rangers Saturday at Madison Square Garden, the Senators tightened up defensively and didn’t give the Leafs much in the way of chances.

“Starting with two games on the road, it’s definitely nice to get a win here,” said Alfredsson. “That’s good for our confidence because wins are tough to come by.”

With defenceman Alex Picard in the penalty box, Matt Stajan one-timed a pass from Tomas Kaberle past Leclaire at 5:36 of the third period.

Making only his third career start against the Leafs, Leclaire wasn’t tested much, but had to be sharp. He was the recipient of some good luck when Mike Komisarek hit both posts with a shot in the final minutes.

“We were a little more patient and a little more poised,” said Senators coach Cory Clouston. “I thought the goaltending on both sides was very good.

“We had the game in control for the most part. We got a little bit panicky in the last 10 minutes and Pascal made some big saves. The guys played extremely well in front of him for the first 50 minutes.”

The Senators were awarded a penalty shot after winger Milan Michalek was high-sticked and taken into the boards by Toronto defenceman Luke Schenn at 7:22 of the second period. Michalek, who was cut, needed medical attention as he lay on the ice, but did return to the game.

Since Michalek wasn’t available, Alfredsson, who was roundly booed by the good people of Toronto as he skated toward the net, deked Gustavsson and beat him with a backhander. It was Alfredsson’s third goal in six career penalty shot attempts.

“I kind of made up my mind before because I didn’t know what to expect from him,” said Alfredsson. “I don’t know him too well. I decided to take a shot on the backhand. It works in practice and I was able to get it by him.”

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it’s the first time the Senators have won a game by a one-goal margin with the game-winning goal scored on a penalty shot. They had two other one-goal wins with a penalty-shot goal, but in those games, another goal was the decider.

Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson was not happy with his team’s effort.

“That wasn’t a Battle of Ontario by any stretch of the imagination. We’ve got to do a much better job than that. We need a much better effort from people we are counting on,” said Wilson, who warned his players will have an early-morning skate without pucks.

The Senators’ home opener is tomorrow, at 7 p.m., against the New York Islanders.